Omar Arroyo (Polk County Commission District 4, Florida, candidate 2026)
Omar Arroyo (Republican Party) is running for election to Polk County Commission District 4 in Florida.[1]
Elections
2026
Ballotpedia survey responses
See also: Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection
Omar Arroyo completed Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection survey in 2025. The survey questions appear in bold and are followed by Arroyo's responses. Candidates are asked three required questions for this survey, but they may answer additional optional questions as well.
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My name is Omar Arroyo, and I have proudly called Polk County home for 25 years. I came here at 18 years old from Austin, Texas, and this county has given me every opportunity to grow, build businesses, and raise my family. This is where I met my wife of 20 years, and together we are raising our three wonderful children, ages 18, 12, and 5.
Because Polk County has given me so much, I chose in 2021 to give back through public service. Since then, I have had the honor of serving as City Commissioner, Vice Mayor, and Mayor of Haines City. In these roles, I have focused on strengthening our community, improving public safety, supporting smart growth, and ensuring Polk County is better prepared for the future.
Beyond elected office, I have devoted myself to community service. I founded a nonprofit that provides scholarships to students who may not attend college but want to pursue trade schools, and I actively participate in organizations that raise money for community resources. Over the past four years, I have served on boards that support healthcare, hospitals, the United Way, and community development. I also serve on regional committees that focus on infrastructure, transportation, and fiscal management, as well as the Ridge League of Cities and the League of Mayors board of directors.
I am deeply passionate about supporting our youth, because they are our future leaders, and about ensuring law enforcement has the resources needed to keep our families safe.
- Polk County is one of the fastest-growing areas in Florida, and we must plan responsibly to protect our quality of life. My priority is to make sure growth comes with the infrastructure to support it, better roads, stronger utilities, and reliable community services. I believe in smart growth that balances opportunity with responsibility, so that development benefits every family, not just developers, and our county remains a safe, thriving place to live for generations to come.
- Public safety is the foundation of a strong community. I will continue working closely with Sheriff Grady Judd, law enforcement, and our first responders to ensure they have the tools, training, and resources needed to keep Polk County safe. Supporting those who protect us is one of my highest priorities. When families feel safe in their homes, schools, and neighborhoods, everything else, business, education, and community can thrive.
- I believe investing in our youth is investing in our future. Too many young people are overlooked simply because they don’t follow the traditional path to college. That’s why I’m committed to expanding opportunities through trade schools, scholarships, mentorship programs, and career pathways that prepare them for success. I also believe we must do more to support families by strengthening resources for special needs and mental health. By giving every child the tools and support they need today, we are building the next generation of leaders who will guide Polk County for years to come.
I am passionate about public safety, youth opportunity, and responsible growth. Ensuring our law enforcement and first responders have the tools and training they need is a top priority, because safe neighborhoods allow families and businesses to thrive. I also care deeply about expanding opportunities for young people through college, trade schools, and mentorship, and making sure families have access to resources for special needs and mental health. Finally, I believe in smart growth policies that strengthen roads, utilities, and infrastructure so Polk County grows responsibly.
Integrity, transparency, and accountability are the most important qualities for any elected official. Public service is a position of trust, and that means listening to residents, being honest about challenges, and telling the truth even when it’s not what people want to hear. Leaders should not say what sounds politically correct just to please others, but speak with honesty and conviction. An elected official should lead by example, treat everyone with respect, and always put the needs of families, taxpayers, and the future of our county first.
The core responsibility of a County Commissioner is to serve the people, not donors or special interests. Decisions should always be based on what’s best for our residents and the future of Polk County. A Commissioner must manage taxpayer dollars wisely, improve roads, utilities, and community services, and ensure that growth happens responsibly. It’s also our duty to support law enforcement and first responders who keep our families safe. Above all, a true public servant listens, leads with honesty, and puts the community before politics.
The County Commission is unique because it directly impacts daily life, from roads and utilities to safety, housing, and growth, while also serving as a bridge to state and federal government. I believe a commissioner must work hard to build strong relationships with our state delegation, senators, and representatives to bring resources back to Polk County. I have done this consistently, traveling multiple times each year to Tallahassee and Washington, D.C., and building great working relationships with our Congressman and state leaders. These connections allow me to fight for the resources our community needs to thrive.
Many people don’t realize how much authority a County Commissioner has over decisions that directly affect daily life. Commissioners help manage a county budget of nearly $3 billion, determining how taxpayer dollars are invested in roads, utilities, public safety, and community programs. They also oversee land use, zoning, and infrastructure planning that shape how and where our county grows. As a local official, I’ve worked closely with state and federal leaders, traveling to Tallahassee and Washington, D.C., to advocate for resources that benefit our region. These experiences have prepared me to bring that same commitment and collaboration to the county level. This role demands transparency, accountability, and a deep dedication to putting residents first in every decision.
I believe political experience can be helpful, but it is not the most important factor. What matters most is integrity, common sense, and a true commitment to serving the people. Many great leaders start as business owners, teachers, or community advocates, not career politicians. In my case, I have served as City Commissioner, Vice Mayor, and Mayor of Haines City, and those roles gave me valuable experience working with budgets, infrastructure, and public safety. But what really matters is that I take this responsibility seriously, I treat it as more than a full-time job, and I work every day to put the needs of residents first.
A County Commissioner must have strong leadership, financial management, and communication skills. The job requires understanding complex budgets, planning for growth, and making sure resources are invested wisely. It also takes the ability to listen to residents, work with state and federal leaders, and build consensus to get things done. Experience in business, community service, and public leadership are valuable because they prepare you to make decisions that balance fiscal responsibility with the needs of families, infrastructure, and public safety.
My very first job was as a residential house framer (a structural carpenter) in Texas when I was 16 years old. I started in construction at a young age, learning every part of the trade from the ground up. It was hard work, long days, and tough conditions, but it taught me discipline, commitment, and pride in building something with my own hands. Framing wasn’t just my first job, it became the foundation of my career and the values I live by today. That experience taught me that success comes from hard work, faith, and perseverance.
The first major historical event I remember was the attacks on September 11, 2001. I was 18 years old and had just arrived in Haines City four days earlier. That morning, I was on top of roof trusses, decking a roof, when I first heard the news. I will never forget that day or the uncertainty and sadness everyone felt. It was a moment that marked my generation and one I will always remember clearly.
I’ve never really had just one role model to follow. Instead, I try to learn different qualities from many people I meet. The greatest example of strength in my life has been my mother, who endured domestic violence and made the courageous decision to break that cycle so her children could have a better future. Beyond that, I’ve always tried to watch how people handle themselves and take lessons from their strengths while continuing to build my own path in life and public service.
I want my legacy to be one of service, integrity, and opportunity. I want to be remembered as someone who worked hard to make Polk County a better place for families, where every child has the chance to succeed, whether through college, trade school, or community support. I also hope my journey inspires other Hispanics to get involved in public service and leadership, knowing that their voices matter. Most of all, I want to make the path easier for my children and future generations to serve with pride, purpose, and love for their community.
One of my biggest struggles has been growing without a formal education. I didn’t have the structure or guidance many people do, so I learned through hard work, trial, and failure. Every lesson came from experience. Another challenge has been overcoming stage fright. For years, I couldn’t speak in front of people or even make eye contact. Over time, I’ve worked to overcome that fear, and while I still get nervous, I’ve learned to turn that fear into strength. These struggles have shaped who I am, determined, humble, and always willing to grow.
My favorite book is the Bible. It has been a foundation for my faith and my life, offering strength, inspiration, and guidance in everyday life. I also love history, and the Bible is full of incredible stories that cover man’s journey on this earth. It speaks to leadership, perseverance, astronomy, family, and so much more. Even for someone who doesn’t focus on the faith side, the Bible provides lessons and inspiration on how to live with purpose and integrity, and that makes it my favorite book.
If I could be any fictional character, I would choose Superman. He represents strength, courage, and the commitment to protect others, values I admire. He uses his abilities not for himself, but to serve and defend his community. And let’s be honest, who wouldn’t want super strength, laser eyes, the ability to fly, never aging, and being really good looking while saving the day? A little humor aside, Superman reminds me that leadership is about using whatever strengths you have to make life better for others.
The County Commission is unique because it directly impacts the everyday lives of residents. Commissioners make decisions on roads, utilities, zoning, and community services that shape how Polk County grows and functions. Unlike other levels of government, this office has direct responsibility for managing nearly $3 billion of taxpayer funds and ensuring they are used wisely. It is also important because it connects local needs with state and federal partners, bringing vital resources into the county. This makes the role both powerful and deeply accountable to the people.
Some of the most touching stories I’ve heard are from parents of children with autism or special needs. Many have told me how their kids are now young adults but still nonverbal or struggling to live independently because the system failed them when they were younger. Hearing their pain and determination has left a deep impression on me. As the father of a young son with autism, I understand those struggles and the joy that comes with even small progress. These stories motivate me to fight for better mental health and special needs resources so families are not left behind.
My greatest accomplishment is my family. I am blessed with an amazing wife and three wonderful children who inspire me every day. Being a father is the most rewarding role of my life. I’m especially proud of my daughter, who is now in college and the first in our close family to reach that milestone. For me, success isn’t measured only in titles or projects, but in the family you raise and the example you set. Everything I’ve worked for in business, public service, and community has been driven by the desire to give them and future generations a better life.
Note: Ballotpedia reserves the right to edit Candidate Connection survey responses. Any edits made by Ballotpedia will be clearly marked with [brackets] for the public. If the candidate disagrees with an edit, he or she may request the full removal of the survey response from Ballotpedia.org. Ballotpedia does not edit or correct typographical errors unless the candidate's campaign requests it.
External links
[1] ↑ Submitted to Ballotpedia's candidate survey in 2025.
